Door bumper and lock striker



April 4, 1939. R. WATERBURY DOOR BUMPER AND LOCK STBKER Filed July 2, 1954 y Patented pr. '4, 1939 PATENT OFFICE DOOR BUMPER AND LOCK STRIKER Ronald `J. Waterbury, Birmingham, Mich., as-

sgnor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application July 2, 1934, Serial No. 733,389

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a combined door striker plate and dovetail, particularly adapted for use with the doors of automotive vehicles.

. In present practice, the doors of automotive vehicles are provided with two buiers, one near the topr and the other near the bottom. Intermediate the buifers there is applied the lock and striker plate to hold the door in closed position, and a dovetail properly to align the lock with the striker plate. The application of the buffers at the top and the bottom yhas necessitated a hard slamming of the door to enable the lock properly to catch behind the shoulders of the striker plate. After the lock has been caught, the pressure of the buffers, while it held the door tight, also tended to hold it in an arcuate position, or tend to give it a bowed effect. In time this constant pressure above and below the striker plate put an unnecessary strain on the door and 0 caused the door to become loose and rattle.

It is `the object of the present invention to diminish the size and function as well as the importance of the upper and lower buffers and to combine the dovetail into a unitary structure 5 with the striker plate. As the` result of the invention there is removed the usual dovetail and are eliminated the two heavy buffers in conventional use and two light buffers substituted therefor, the function of the dovetail is retained in the 0 novel striker plate. In the use of the present invention the bowing effect on the door by the buffers is eliminated for the reason that the two buffers are much lighter than and do not exert the pressure exerted by the buffers now in use.

In contrast to the present day buffers, the buiiers used in the present invention perform the principal function of aligning the door with reference to the body. There is little stress set up :o in the door from bumper pressure, the stress being taken in the novel striker plate-dovetail structure.

'Ihe object of the invention is accomplished by making a novel striker plate assembly consistingl5 of a base which is rigidly secured to the body pillar, a striker plate proper, and uniting the base with the striker plate through the intermediary of a rubber connection. The usual latch bolt catches behind the striker plate in the usual way.

50 To the `door immediately opposite of the latch 55 This structure has a block of rubber therein which serves as a resilient mounting and enables a limited amount of movement between the parts of the structure itself, or allows movement of the part thereof which embraces the striker plate. Inasmuch as both the striker plate and the structure secured to the door have mating inclined sides, they will perform the function of a dovetail. The inclined sides of the mouth and the fiat side of the latch bolt are on the sides of a triangle so that when the door is closed with the latch bolt behind the striker plate the bolt cannot move relative to the striker plate thereby preventing a rubbing of metal on metal. Any movement required will be allowed or absorbed by the rubber.

The structure of the invention enables a much easier closing of the door because of the much lower pressure exerted by the door buffers and by the rubber in the door construction. closing pressure is also uniform and correct and does not depend upon the skill of the workman installing the door or on the selection of the proper buffers.

Additionally, the .rubber will prevent squeaks 'in road operation by allowing all necessary movement of the door ,relative to the body during body movements caused by the car moving over rough roads. Also because of the insulating effect of rubber there will be no harsh metallic noise when slamming the door.

Because of the tight connection maintained by the compressed rubber there will be no loosening of parts due to wear. The striker plate functioning as a dovetail permits a limited amount of movement of the door relative to the body and allows the door to accommodateitself to different positionsl of the body.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing in which: s

Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of the door and door frame of an automotive vehicle with Ther parts broken away to show the application of portion has the usual window I 0. The combined striker plate and dovetail structure is indicated as a whole at l2 and is applied at the belt I4 of the vehicle.

Referring to Figure 3, the base plate of the striker plate structure is indicated at I6. 'I'he base plate is substantially iiat and has two serrated portions |8 and 20 on the bottom thereof where it is attached to the post 22 of the door frame. The base plate I6 has the chamfered openings 24 to receive the heads 26 of the hollow bolts 28. Into the bolts 28 there is threaded the second bolt 30, the head 32 of which is received in an opening in a plate 34 secured to the other side of the door frame post 22. The base plate I6 additionally has the U-shaped ange 36 thereon at one end thereof.

The striker plate per se is indicated as a whole at 38 and has the inclined sides 40. The striker plate has the two shoulders 42 and 44 to receive the latch bolt 46 of the usual lock 48. In front of the shoulders 42 and 44 are the usual inclined portions 50 and 52. The striker plate has the openings 54 and 56 which are larger than the heads 26 of the bolts 28 to allow the bolt heads to pass therethrough and fit into the chamfered openings 24 of the base plate I6.'

The base plate |6 and striker plate 38 are suitably assembled and an intermediate rubber member 58 vulcanized thereto so that the three parts, viz., the base plate I6, the striker plate 38, and the rubber buffer 58, form a substantially integral piece with the rubber spacing the metal at all points. The shape of the rubber, of course, conforms to the interior shape of the striker plate 38 which is stamped from sheet metal and is hollow as is best shown in the sectional view tionally has the small openings 66 better tol allow a compression of the rubber and an easier yielding of the striker plate 40 relative to the base plate I6.

The manner in which the three parts I6, 38, and 58 appear in final assembly is best illustrated in the sectional view in Figure 2. It will be noted that the rubber completely ills in the space between the base plate I6 and the striker plate 38 except for the openings 62 and 64. In this structure the striker plate 38 may move relative to the base plate I6 within reasonable limits determined by the yield of the rubber buffer 58. It will be noted from the upper portion of Figure 2 that the flange 36 on the base plate is spaced froml the end flange 61 of the striker plate by the rubber of the buffer 58. Similarly, at the front or thinner and narrower portion 68 of the striker plate there is also a quantity of rubber between the striker plate 38 and base plate I6. Additionally, the sides of the flange 36 are received inside the sides 40 of the striker plate with a portion of the rubber 58 spacing the sides 3 from the sides 40.

In an emergency the flange 36 will serve to catch the bolt 46 if the striker plate 38 should be torn away.

The structure at the door is indicated as a whole by the numeral 10 and comprises the base plate 12 to which there is secured as by spot welding the slide holder 14. The slide holder 14 has the relatively long base 16 and upturned ilanges 18 at its ends. The anges 18 in turn have the inturned flanges and the interior of the slide holder 14 is lined with a substance 8 2 to enable an easy sliding of the slider or bumper 64 which is received in the flanges 18 and 80 and is'preferably made of brass. On top of the shoulders 86 are the projections 88 which are narrower at their front ends 90 than at their rear ends 92. The two projections 88 on the slider' 84 form a diverg'ng mouth 84 in which there is received the inclined sides 40 of the striker plate 38. The width of the mouth 94 is sufficient to accommodate the striker plate. and the inclination of the sides 48 corresponds to the inclination or`divergence of the sides of the projections 88. The bumper 84 and striker plate 38 intert in dovetail fashion when the door is closed.

'Ihe end plate I2 has the Bange 86, and between the flange 96 and the back 91 of the slider 84 there is mounted the rubber block-98. The block is suitably shaped as at |00 to accommodate the inturned portions |02 of the flange 96 and is also provided with the grooves |04 and |06 to allow an easier spreading of the rubber 'and to enable a greater compression to take place. Similarly, the back of the rubber block 98 is formed in a number of arcs |08 for a similar purpose. The rubber block 98 may have grooves on its back instead of the arcs |08.

A top plate is indicated at I|0 and is provided with openings I I2 which mate with similar openings I I4 in the back plate 12. These openings are for the reception of suitable securing elements to fasten the structure 10 to the door post I6. The back plate 12 and front plate ||0 are provided with openings I|8 for the reception of bolts or screws |20 to hold the structure 10 assembled. Flanges |22 and |24 on the top plate I I0 cooperate respectively with the rear flange 96 of the rear plate 12 and with the front edge of the shoulders 86 to hold the slider in the assembly. The sides |26 on the top plate ||0 abut lightly against the flanges 18 on the slide holder 14 when the parts are assembled.

. The member shown in dotted outline on the rear plate 12 shows how the slide holder 14 is secured in position. The rubber 98 is assembled with its back against the ange 96 and with its face (having grooves |04 and |06) facing outwardly to receive the back of the slider 84, the langes 80 on the slide holder 1'4 tting over the shoulders 86 and retaining the slide holder 84 in position. The top plate. IIO is now assembled over the four other parts and the screws or bolts |20 are applied to hold the assembly together. The parts are now secured to the door post I I6 by suitable fastening means, passing through the openings II2 and II4. The openings ||2 and ||4 nearest the latch bolt align with openings (not shown) in the casing |21 of the lock 48 so that one pair of screws or fasteners secures both the assembly of Figure 4 and the casing |21 to the door pillar IIS, assuring proper alignment of the one with reference to the other and also assuring that the flat side of the bolt 46 `is on the third side ot the triangle with reference to the inclined sides of the striker plate 38 and of the mouth 94.

When the structure 10 is assembled and secured to the doorand the door is slammed, the inclined sides 40 of the striker plate will be struck against by the inclined sides of the mouth 94 formed by the projections 88. In other words, the striker plate 38 will be received in the mouth 94 of the slider 84, with the sides 40 tightly contacting with 75 the sides of the projections 88. Because of the fact thatl the striker plate 88 is movable relative toits base plate IB. and the further fact that the slider 84 is movable relative to the construction 10, there will be a relative movement of these parts with reference to the structures to which they are attached and a corresponding compression of the-rubber of the buffer 58 and of the block 88. This construction will perform the functions of the usual dovetail and at the same time the Y striker plate 38 will actin the customary manner.

When the door is closed, as shown in Figure 2, the rubber of the buffer 88 at the striker plate, which is harder than the rubber of the block 98, is substantially uncompressed, while the rubber of the block 98 is under compression andwill urge the, door outwardly to keep the door tightly closed. When it is desired to open the door, the door y handle |28 is actuated to' withdraw the latch bolt 46. This will pull the bolt 46 away from the edge I4 of the striker plate and, because oi the expansion of the compressed rubber, the door will be moved slightly outwardly. The door may now be opened by pulling on the handle in the usual way.

I claim:

1. In a combined dovetail and lock striker for the doors of automotive vehicles, a backing plate secured to the door, a bumper movably mounted in said plate for movement in a horizontal direction, resilient means between the plate and the bumper to enable the-bumper to have a limited movement relative to the plate, and a striker plate resiliently mounted for limited movement in all directions and secured to the body post and intertting with the bumper in dovetail fashion when the door is closed.

2. In a combined dovetail and lock striker for the doors of automotive vehicles, a backing plate secured to the door, a bumpermovably mounted in said plate for movement in a horizontal direction, resilient meansbetween'the plate and the bumper to enable the bumper to have a limited movement relative tol the plate, means between the plate and bumper to cause an easy' movement voi the bumper in the plate, and a striker plate resiliently mounted for limited movement in all directions and secured to the body post and interitting with the bumper in dovetail fashion when the door is closed.

3. In a combined dovetail and lock striker tor the doors of automotive vehicles, a backing plate secured to the door, a bumper movably mounted in said plate for movement in a horizontal direction. a rubber member between the plate and the bumper to enable the buier to have a limited movement relative to the plate, and a striker plate resiliently mounted for limited movement in all directions and secured to the body post and intertting with the bumper in dovetail fashion when the door is closed.

4.In a combined dovetail and lock striker for the doors of automotive vehicles, a backing plate l secured to the door, a bumper movably mounted in said plate for movement in a horizontal direction, resilient means between the plate and the bumper to enable the bumper to have a limited movement relative to the plate, means between the plate and bumper to cause an easy movement ofl the bumper in the plate, a base plate secured to thebody post, a striker plate over said base plate and intertting with the bumper in dovetail fashion when the door ls closed, and a resilient member between said base plate and the striker plate i to enable the` striker plate to move relative to the base plate.

5. In a4 bumper construction for the door of an automotive vehicle, a` base plate, a top plateover the base plate, a slide holder immovably secured to `the base plate. a bumper slidably mounted in the holder, a rubber block lling the space between the bumper .and the base plate to 'allow a limited movement to the bumper, and means to secure the two plates together and to the door.

6.' In a bumper construction for the door of an automotive vehicle, a base plate, a top plate over the base plate, a slide holder immovably secured to the base plate, a bumperA slidably mounted in the holder, means secured to the slide holder and positioned between the holder and the bumper to decrease friction, a rubber block lling the space between the bumper and the base plate to allow a Hunted movement to the bumper, and means to secure the two plates together and to the door.

'1. In a bumper construction for the door of an automotive vehicle, a base -plate, a ange on the base plate, a top plate over the base plate, a

slide holder immovably secured to the base plate, a bumper slidably mounted in the holder, a rub-` ber block lling the space between the bumper andthe flange on the base plate to allow a limited movement to the bumper, and means to secure the two plates together and to the door.

8. In a bumper construction for the door of an automotive vehicle, a base plate, a slide holder immovably mounted on the base plate, end flanges on the slide holder, a slider in the slide holder and. retained by the anges, said slider adapted to receive a striker plate therein, a rubber block lling the space between the slider and the base plate, and a top plate secured to the base -plate and to the door.

9. In a bumper construction for the door of a'n automotive vehicle, a base plate, la slide holder mounted on the base plate, end flanges on the end flanges, a slider in the slide holder and retained by the anges, said slider adapted t`o re-A ceive a striker plate therein, a rubber block lling the space between the slider and the base plate,

and a top plate secured to the base plate and to lthe door. l

10. In a bumper construction for the door of an automotive vehicle, a base plate, a slide holder mounted on the base plate, end flanges on the slide holder, a slider in the slide holder, shoulders on the slider, said flanges tting on said shoulders and retaining the slider, said slider adapted to receive a striker plate therein, a rubber block lling the space between the slider and the base plate, and a top plate secured to the base plate and to the door.

11. In a bumper construction for the door ci an automotive vehicle, a base plate, aange on the base plate, a slide holder immovably mounted on the base plate, end ilanges on the slide holder, a slider in the slide holder and retained by the holder flanges, said slider adapted to receive a striker plate therein, a rubber block lling the space between the slider and the flange on the base plate, and a top plate secured to the base plate and to the door.

1 2. In a bumper construction for the door of an automotive vehicle, a base plate, a slide holder mounted on the base plate, end flanges on the slide holde a slider in the slide holder and retained by the flanges, means secured to the slide holder and positioned between the slider and the slide holder to enable an easy sliding of the slider in the holder, said slider adapted to receive a striker plate therein, resilient means between the slider and the base plate, and a top plate secured to the base plate and to thexdoor.

13. In a bumper construction for the door of an automotive vehicle, a base plate, a slide holder vmounted on the base plate, a slider mounted in the holder, said slider having a mouth adapted to receive a striker plate, and a top plate fitting over the holder and slider and having sides abutting against the slide holder, said top plate secured to the base plate and to the door. y

14. In a bumper construction for the door of an automotive vehicle, a base plate, a slide holder mounted on the base plate, a slider mounted in the holder, said slider having a mouth adapted to receive a striker plate, and a top plate iitting over theholder and slider` and having flanges to retain the slider in the slide holder, said top plate sel cured to the base plate and to the door.

15. In a door latch bolt mechanism for application to the door of an automotive vehicle, a striker plate secured to the door pillar, said striker plate having inclined sides and a flat back adapted to be engaged by the latch bolt, a bumper construction secured to the door post, a slidable element forming a part of the bumper construction and having inclined sides adapted to mate with the inclined sides of the striker plate, resilient 'means between thestriker plate and the door pillar to cause the striker plate to float relative to the pillar, resilient means in the bumper construction resiliently mounting said element in a horizontal direction, said last named resilient means being always under compression when the door is closed, and a latch bolt on the door adapted to engage behind the back of the striker plate when the door is in closed position, the engagement of the latch bolt with the striker plate forming a triangular interengagement of the striker plate, the bumper construction and the latch bolt, one side of the triangle being the back of the striker plate and the other two sides being constituted by the inclined sides oi.' the striker plate and the slidableu element. l

16. In a door latch mechanism for application to the door of an automotive vehicle, a striker plate secured to the door pillar, said plate having its back and sidescoincident with the three sides of a triangle, means to oat the striker plate in rubber. a bumper construction secured to the door post and having a slidable element having a mouth conforming to the sides of the striker plate and adapted to engage therewith when the door is in closed position, a rubber buier in said mechanism yieldingly mounting said element for movement in a horizontal direction, said buffer being always under compression when the door is closed thereby constantly urging the door to open position, and a latch bolt mounted in the door and. engageable behind the back of the striker plate, the engagement of the bolt with the striker plate forming a triangular wedge to hold the door tightly in closed position and prevent a rubbing of metal on metal.

17. In a door latch mechanism for application to the door of an automotive vehicle, a striker plate resiliently mounted in rubber and secured to the door pillar and adapted to be engaged by the latch bolt of the door, inclined sides on the striker plate, a bumper construction secured to the door and having an element slidably mounted therein, said element having a mouth with inclined sides adapted to receive therein the inclined sides of a striker plate, said bumper construction including a rubber buier resiliently to mount the slidable element in a horizontal direction, the interengagement of the element and striker plate when the door is latched causing the buffer to be under compression and constantly urging the door toward open position, said striker plate and bumper construction being incapable of relative movement when the mechanism is in latched position.

RONALD J. WA'I'ERBURY. 

